Synonyms of preliminary

preliminary 1 of 2

adjective

pri-ˈli-mə-ˌner-ē 

as in preparatory

coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows

we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preparatory
• introductory
• primary
• beginning
• prefatory
• preparative
• prelim
• precursory
• basic
• preparing
• early
• prelusive
• previous
• fundamental
• introducing
• elementary
• warning
• premonitory
• prior
• preceding
• readying
• prefacing
• ahead
• former

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• subsequent
• after
• behind

preliminary

2 of 2

noun

as in prelude

a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event

a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prelude
• overture
• prologue
• preamble
• warm-up
• curtain-raiser
• lead-in
• start
• countdown
• kickoff
• run-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of preliminary

Adjective

Salgado Araujo was not the target of an immigration operation, according to a source with preliminary details about the incident. — Maria Santana, CNN Money, 15 July 2026

The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Noun

Tickets to the mixed archery preliminary set me back $110 each, then $85 each for the mixed equestrian preliminary. — Personal Finance Columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026

The hockey playoffs weren’t affected by the storm and are expected to start on March 2 with Division II preliminaries. — Jacob Rousseau, The Providence Journal, 26 Feb. 2026